UNWAVERING FAITH
Internally Displaced People (IDPs) forced to take shelter in the jungle.
Myanmar has been grappling with various internal conflicts for decades. The armed conflicts, particularly in Kachin, Shan, and Chin States, have had a severe impact on the Christian community.
The February 2021 coup added to the already chaotic situation in Myanmar, with many young people rising up in arms against the military. Thousands of innocent civilians have died. This war has led to the destruction of property, churches, and religious sites. The ongoing conflict has hindered religious practice and evangelism efforts. Many churches have been forced to suspend or alter their worship services due to safety concerns. There is a severe humanitarian crisis, widespread suffering, and deprivation among almost all communities.
The conflict has resulted in widespread displacement and a significant refugee crisis. Christian communities have been uprooted from their homes, churches and communities; forced to seek safety and shelter elsewhere. Many have become internally displaced persons (IDPs) or have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Christian churches, along with other places of worship, have been targeted and destroyed in the crossfire. Religious persecution has been reported, with Christian communities becoming targets of discrimination and violence. The situation has resulted in the loss of life and has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity within the Church. The functions and growth of Christian churches have been disrupted.
Nevertheless, Christians have played a crucial role during this crisis, pooling their resources, and providing humanitarian aid and support to those in need. We thank all Ethnos Asia Ministries partners and networks who have helped provide displaced persons and refugees with food, shelter, healthcare, and education. Your efforts demonstrate the resilience and compassion of the Christian community. Praise God for the remarkable resilience and unwavering faith of the believers who continue to gather for worship, prayer, and fellowship, even amid uncertainty and displacement. Our active prayer network inside Myanmar consists of 6,251 churches who regularly pray for their country and beyond. Under God's sovereignty, our Bible School is still operational and has recently graduated more than one hundred students. The church has become a source of hope and strength for many, offering solace and support to those affected by the conflict. The Christian community's determination to main-tain their faith, uphold their values, and contribute to the betterment of society is truly commendable.
The situation in Myanmar remains precarious. Let us continue to raise awareness among our churches regarding their situation and rally them to intercede for this nation. Our Myanmar Ethnos Asia Team inside the country remains optimistic and continues with the Sow for the Harvest training and Bible delivery programs whenever possible. Aside from the Myanmar English New Testament, we shall soon make the Karen-English New Testament available. Please pray for the printing and delivery of these Bibles this year.
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
